Pirates' woes continue

Elks 17

Pirates 8

BEND - The Moses Lake Pirates (9-23) opened a three game series against the Bend Elks (17-24) Tuesday night at Vince Genna Stadium in Bend, Ore.

The Pirates fell to the Elks 17-8 in the series opener.

Moses Lake scored eight runs on nine hits and Bend scored 17 runs on 16 hits to drop the Pirates.

Moses Lake starting pitcher A.J. Morris was credited with the loss after pitching five innings and allowing nine Elk runs. Morris fell to 1-2 for the Pirates this season.

Bend pitcher Forrest Snow earned the victory while pitching in relief for Elks' starting pitcher Brad Kidd.

After a scoreless first inning, the Pirates drew first blood in the top of the second.

Moses Lake catcher Devin Walker singled to left field to lead off the inning for the Pirates.

Walker advanced to second when Moses Lake first baseman Brock Gates singled up the middle.

With two runners on, second baseman D.C. Legg singled to left field to load the bases for the Pirates.

Third baseman Tyler Heil grounded out to third, scoring Walker on the fielder's choice.

With two Pirates on base and one out in the second, shortstop Cesar Lopez singled, scoring Legg and Gates.

With the Pirates leading 3-0, Moses Lake right fielder Ty Rubio reached on an error and Lopez advanced to third base.

Designated hitter Brandon Huerta reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second base when Lopez scored.

After center fielder Dane Yelovich walked, left fielder Philip Parrish singled to score Rubio.

The Pirates scored five runs in the second inning to take a 5-0 lead.

Bend responded by scoring four runs in the bottom of the second to cut the Pirates' lead to 5-4.

The Pirates took a two-run advantage in the fourth inning when Huerta scored on Parrish's fielder's choice.

Bend battled back in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs to tie the game at 6-6.

The Elks scored one run in the fifth, and seven runs in the sixth to take a 14-6 lead.

Bend never looked back, adding two runs in the seventh and another in the eighth to lead 17-6.

The Pirates managed two runs in the top of the ninth inning, but could not overcome the eleven-run deficit.

The Moses Lake loss was the club's fourth consecutive.

The Pirates play the Elks tonight in the series finale.

Moses Lake returns to Larson Playfield Saturday, Aug. 2 for a one game series with the Wenatchee AppleSox.

The Pirates have nine games remaining in the 2008 season, including two at Larson Playfield.